4-Step Process
Students who are interested in studying abroad must follow the 4-step process of researching options, petitioning to study abroad, applying to an approved program, and preparing for the experience.
Step 1: RESEARCH
Timeline: Freshman Year - Sophomore Year
Planning a successful study abroad experience is always the responsibility of the student. We recommend starting this research process as early as Freshmen year, but definitely starting October of your Sophomore or Junior year.
- SELF-ASSESSMENT GUIDE: (Recommended) Use this guide to gauge your readiness to study abroad. It is your responsibility to understand how studying abroad fits into your personal, career, and academic goals.
- STUDY ABROAD 101: (Recommended) Attend Study Abroad 101 the week prior to Study Abroad Advising Week or review the presentation and download the handouts.
- ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: (Required) Review SCU's eligibility requirements for studying abroad. You must also fulfill the particular program's minimum requirements including GPA, language proficiency, pre-requisites, etc.
- DECLARE A MAJOR: (Required) Use the official University protocol to declare an undergraduate major. Students will not be approved to apply to a study abroad program unless they have officially declared major and it is verifiable on their ecampus.
- SEARCH PROGRAM OPTIONS: (Required) Review the official list of approved study abroad program locations to find the program in which you qualify (GPA, language, etc) and suitable for you in terms of language of instructions, housing options, cost, etc. Only programs listed on the SCU list of approved programs are open to SCU students.
- REVIEW SCU DEADLINES: (Required) Check the study abroad deadlines to petition and apply to a program.
- REVIEW STUDY ABROAD FEES: (Required) Review Santa Clara's standard study abroad fees which are different from the published fees of our affiliated program providers.
- REVIEW PRE-APPROVED COURSES: (Recommended) Want to know which abroad courses have already been pre-approved by Departments to fulfill SCU's major, minor, core requirements?
- ATTEND STUDY ABROAD WEEK EVENTS: (Recommended) Participate in the events including workshops, information sessions, forums, and one-one-one advising with the visiting program representatives at their tables in Benson.
- TALK TO PEERS: (Recommended) Peer Advisers are the paid student staff at the International Programs Office (WE HAVE MOVED to 755 Franklin Street). They are trained in the University's application procedures and can help answer any questions you might have. You can simply call the office (408-554-6940) or click on the link above for their profiles and email address.
- CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADORS: (Recommended) Check out the profiles and suggestions from our volunteers who are willing to talk with you about their specific program. These former study abroad volunteers can answer your questions about their specific program location and not the University's application procedures.
- TALK WITH VID RAATIOR: (Recommended) Call the office (554-6940) to set up an advising appointment with Vid Raatior who advises all prospective study abroad students.
- DISCUSS WITH PARENTS: (Recommended) Use our talking points to discuss your top 3 choices of program locations with your parents especially during the Thanksgiving Break.
- RANK YOUR TOP 3 CHOICES (Required): Be ready to provide your top three choices of program location on the Petition to Study Abroad. Make sure you understand fully that we will try and get you into your top choice, but that you may be cleared for your 2nd or 3rd choices. Then go on to Step #2.
Step 2: PETITION
Timeline: November - December 4, 2009
Only Sophomores and Juniors who qualify to study abroad can petition to study abroad. Do NOT petition if you have not thoroughly researched your options, qualifications, fees, etc.
- PETITION TO STUDY ABROAD FORM: (Required) All students who wish to study abroad in the 2010-2011 academic year (Summer 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, and Spring 2011) are required to complete the appropriate online form no later than the last Friday of the Fall term (December 4, 2009). NEW UPDATE: All study abroad petition forms will be activated on Saturday, November 21, 2009 to encourage students to discuss their top 3 choices with their parents/guardians during the Thanksgiving break. Please click on the appropriate term(s) in which you plan to study abroad:
Last Day to Petition: December 4, 2009 (All petitions will close at midnight)
Step 3: APPLY
Deadlines: January - March
Only students who have completed Step #2 and have been cleared and notified by email may proceed to this Step #3. This is the crucial part when you have to fill out and gather all program-specific application requirements and submit to the International Programs Office for review, approval, and mailing no later than these deadlines:
- 1st Week of February: For all Affiliated Programs
- 1st Week of March: For all SCU-Operated Programs and Direct Exchange Programs
- PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ONLINE APPLICATION: (Required) Complete and submit the program-specific Online Application Form. Be sure to print a copy of it to bring to our office along with all other required documents as found on their checklist (e.g. photos, transcript, faculty recommendations, etc).
- OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: (Required) Follow the Registrar's Office instructions on requesting your official transcript which is required by all program providers. Be sure to have it sent directly to your local address as you will be required to bring it in the sealed envelope to the International Programs Office with your application packet. You may request your transcript as soon as Fall grades are posted on your ecampus to avoid delays in processing.
- ACADEMIC ADVISOR APPROVAL: (Required) All study abroad applicants are required to get advising and approval of their faculty advisor. Make an appointment with your Faculty Adviser to go over your academic plans using the departmental form to complete the Academic Planning Sheet. Make sure your faculty adviser sign your Academic Planning Sheet. Submit this signed form with your program-specific application materials.
- TIPS ON COMPLETING PROGRAM-SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS: (Required) Review our helpful tips on ways to accurately complete the program-specific application forms. These resources must always be used in conjunction with the application checklist provided by the program providers.
- DEADLINES (Required) Only complete application materials are accepted at the International Programs Office no later than the following deadlines:
- 1st Week of February: For all Affiliated Program applications
- 1st Week of March: For all SCU-Operated Programs and Direct Exchange Program applications
TIPS: Completed application documents must be submitted in person in one of the following ways:
- Group Apply Sessions: (Preferred) Meet other students applying to the same program by bringing your completed application documents to the session. Check our Workshop Series site to see if your program-location has a Group Apply Session. Limited seating so make sure to RSVP online to secure your spot at the session OR
- By Appointment: Call the office at 408-554-6940 to set up a 15-minute appointment with Vid Raatior to review your application with you OR
- Walk-In: Come to the office during normal office hours 9:00 - 5:00 and the Peer Adviser on duty will review your application with you.We will NOT accept applications that are dropped off at the office.
Step 4: PREPARE
Timeline: February - departure
Now that you have officially applied to the specific study abroad program of your choice, you are ready to prepare for your departure.
- PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST: (Required) A checklist of policies and procedures, responsibilities and forms, you must fulfill before leaving on your program. Be sure to have your parents review this document.
- COURSE APPROVAL FORM: (Required) Download this form, complete it, and drop it off at the Drahmann Center (Kenna 101) before leaving campus. You must fill out this form completely in order to receive the appropriate credits for courses taken abroad. Check the online list of pre-approved coursesand if a course abroad is listed there, then write "pre-approved" in lieu of the Department Chair's signature. If the course abroad is NOT listed as having been pre-approved, then follow the instructions hereon how to get a course abroad approved to fulfill major, minor, or core requirements.
- STUDY ABROAD FEES: (Required) Review Santa Clara's study abroad fees which are different from the published fees of our affiliated program providers.
- WORKSHOP SERIES: (Recommended) Prepare for your time abroad by participating in as many of the study abroad workshops as you want. Check our Upcoming Events page for workshops that might of interest to you.
- MANDATORY PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION: (Required) All students are required to attend the pre-departure orientation on Saturday, April 10, 2010, 9:00 AM - Noon. You will be required to attend the General Session plus your location-specific Group Meetings with returning study abroad students.
- STUDY ABROAD UPDATES: (Required) It is always the student's responsibility to get the latest updates, policies, travel advisories, and information available on the study abroad blog, emails, and at the International Programs Office (755 Franklin Street). Keep checking this site for new updates.
TIPS: Keep checking the Upcoming Events page for your Group Meetings and be on the lookout for emails from Vidalino Raatior with subject titles of "Study Abroad Updates."
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